Yellowstone hot springs & geyser basins

Yellowstone’s thermal features are for viewing from designated routes. Compare the terraces, geyser basins and short boardwalks; do not plan a soak in the hot springs.

Explore the places

Fyno editorial · Updated November 5, 2026

Grand Prismatic Spring — Photo by Nandita Damaraju

Make the trip fit you

Make the day fit the journey

Viewing, not soaking

Stay on designated boardwalks and trails. Swimming or bathing in entirely thermal water is illegal; even runoff and apparently solid ground can be dangerous. [2][5]

Choose a basin for the day

Mammoth offers travertine terraces; Norris a different thermal landscape; Midway the Grand Prismatic boardwalk; Upper Geyser Basin a longer walk around Old Faithful. These require separate approaches. [6][7]

Use the latest access and predictions

Boiling River cannot be used for swimming, Biscuit Basin is listed as closed and Firehole Lake Drive is closed to vehicles. Read current Old Faithful predictions instead of relying on a fixed interval. [3][5][6][7][12]

EXPLORE THE MAP

Places to shape your trip

Browse the visit guides, or open the map to compare locations.

Region8 places

01 · Mammoth Hot Springs · Yellowstone
Explore the travertine terraces from designated paths, choosing a walking circuit that suits your time and mobility.
Open visit guide Photo by Trevor Vannoy
02 · Norris Geyser Basin
Explore Porcelain Basin as a thermal outing in its own right, with time to pause along the boardwalk.
Open visit guide Photo by Jt Ray
03 · Mud Volcano · Yellowstone
A short thermal-boardwalk stop that fits the road between Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake.
Open visit guide
04 · Midway Geyser Basin · Yellowstone
Follow the boardwalk through Midway Geyser Basin for a close view of the spring and surrounding thermal features.
Open visit guide Photo by Nandita Damaraju
05 · Lower Geyser Basin · Yellowstone
A compact boardwalk outing to see several kinds of hydrothermal activity in one area.
Open visit guide
06 · Upper Geyser Basin · Yellowstone
Build the visit around the current ranger prediction, leaving time to explore the basin before or after.
Open visit guide Photo by Jeromey Balderrama
07 · Old Faithful area · Yellowstone
Give the basin time beyond one Old Faithful eruption, following the boardwalk network at your own pace.
Open visit guide Photo by Emanuela Meli
08 · West Thumb · Yellowstone Lake
A lakeside thermal-boardwalk stop on the road between the geyser corridor, lake and South Entrance.
Open visit guide Photo by Qianqian Yu

Locations from Fyno’s curated places. Use current road and site guidance for access; pins are not a driving route.

Put the choices into a route

Compare the routes and choose the plan that fits your time.

Yellowstone Highlights3-6 days ↗Yellowstone & Grand Teton6-9 days ↗

Questions before you go

Viewing, not soaking?

Stay on designated boardwalks and trails. Swimming or bathing in entirely thermal water is illegal; even runoff and apparently solid ground can be dangerous. [2][5]

What should I check close to the trip?

Recheck NPS roads, current closures and facility operating dates. Map pins show locations, not driving times or a guaranteed route. [1][3][4]

Sources & planning notes

Fyno source curation with official planning sources checked November 5, 2026. Operating dates are provisional and closures can change. Check again before travel; map pins are locations, not driving routes.